Sixteen Candles

Sixteenth birthday, I often wondered what that day would be like - when I lulled her to sleep in an outside swing, when we talked about the cheesy moon and fireflies, when we stuck our noses in flowers so deep that we drew out pollen, when we drank the nectar of honeysuckles. 
Would she still want to hang out with me when she was 16?

• When she was 3, she put her shoes on when I pulled into the yard with a confident cock eyed stare at her mama that said "I'm going with grandma, just sayin."  
• When she was 5, we took a stroll one evening, Abby saw the dark cascading line of the mountains at sunset on the horizon. She wanted to walk to them. I explained that we couldn't make it that far. To which she replied "You sit down and rest Grandma, I will pick you up on the way back." 
• When she was 7,  On a drop in visit. "Grandma can I stay the night tonight?" she asked. "Sweetheart you didn't bring any clothes" I replied. "That's OK, I can wear a towel."  
• When she was 10, "Grandma I want you to be my roommate when I go to college." 
• When she was 11, "I don't want to go trick or treating. I want to stay with Grandma and Paw Paw." She just never grasped the whole trick or treating thing. She's the  only trick or treater I know that rang a doorbell and asked to use their bathroom, much to our chagrin.  
• When she was 12,  I was bringing the girls home for a Slip & Slide party/cookout when a  quick thunderstorm came up. Abby was frightened by the thunder. The conversation between the girls and their friends went like this. "Abby, it's ok it's natural, God makes storms." her younger sister Alana chided.  "I don't like natural." Abby replied, sinking down into the seat when as a clap of thunder rolled. "Abby don't you want to see God?" her sister asked. "Yes, but not today." Abby replied.  
• When she was 14, she would text me, Grandma, u awake? I miss u. luv u
• When she was 16.......My daughter called from NC and told me Abby wanted to spend her sixteenth with us. She brought two friends. During the fun teen time of the weekend, I realized we hadn't really been alone.  I had a brief moment of sadness, quickly broken by   peals of laughter from teen girls.  On the last night of their visit, we were driving away from Towne Centre when they saw a shop they wanted to go into. I pulled into the lot and begged out of going in. I rolled the window down and settled in for a good little wait. Minutes after going into the store, Abby came back out by herself and climbed into the truck with me. She said she had a little stomach ache. Or did she?  We sat and talked about life's dilemmas, I offered a little sage advice and we shared some giggles. When the friends walked out of the store. We glanced at them laughing and coming to us. We looked back at each other. Time froze briefly, I knew our bond was deepened in those few moments. I thought to myself later.. My life isn't a measurement of years or months or even days. It is a collection of  moments and what we choose to do with each. 

I can still see her clomping down the hall with my heels on, her mouth garishly painted outside of the lines with my L’Oreal #502.  Although she has physically grown into those big girl shoes, she has a few little girl hoorahs left.  As I pondered whether she was too mature for her age, I walked in on them emptying her huge ~Sweet Sixteen~ balloon that Paw Paw proudly wrestled through the store to purchase, they squealed "Hey Grandma" like hobbits and the worry is gone.
Abby, there are shut boxes beckoning to be opened, closed doors as well. Keyholes are portals. Mistakes are imminent and risk's are recommended. Never let money or lack of it determine your happiness. Look for life's magic  in the moments, the bubbles, the raindrops, the fallen feathers, equip yourself with the ability to see what's real and the audacity to imagine what's not.